Homekit or Home App by Apple allows you to manage (configure, operate, and control) your smart-home appliances using your Apple device. A lot of people ask experts this question; will Blink cameras work with Homekit?
Though many blogs claim that Blink devices can work with this smart home management app by Apple, the reality is that there’s nowhere mentioned on the product page that it actually does by default.
According to Apple, these are the brands that will automatically work with HomeKit;
- Arlo
- Aqara
- D-Link
- Ecobee
- Eufy
- Eve
- Logitech
- Netatmo
- Onvis
- Somfy
- Zorachka
- Robin Telecom Development
- Wemo
- Yobi
To Blink customers, this is quite disappointing news. This is because, compared to other apps, HomeKit is more secure as it features higher security protocols. Plus, the company (Apple) ensures very high-security standards for devices that want to be compatible with their HomeKit app. To say the least, these stringent requirements ensure the highest level of data security for their customers.
To Blink customers, it would be nice if HomeKit could work with their devices by default. But not all hope is lost, as there are a few ways to pair your Blink device(s) with the app. These entail the use of IFTTT or SmartThings.
How to Make Blink Cameras Work with Homekit
Using IFTTT
IFTTT stands for “If This, Then That”. This is a company that borrows its name from the conditional statement “if this, then that” in programming. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, it provides an online platform to integrate apps, devices, and services from different developers to work together.
Blink supports IFTTT integrations. To use this feature to pair your Blink device(s) with HomeKit;
- Download and install IFTTT on your device. It’s available for free both on the Apple App store and Google Play store.
- Launch the app and sign up to create an account.
- Log in to the app and click on “Explore.”
- Search for ‘Blink’, and click on it, once it’s shown.
- Click “Connect”.
- Sign in to your Blink account by clicking “Continue”.
- Enter the PIN sent to your email address, and click “Grant Access”.
- Search for HomeKit and click “Connect” to add it once it’s shown.
You can now use HomeKit to arm and disarm your Blink home security system as you wish.
Using SmartThings
The SmartThings app was created by Samsung. The app enables you to automate or manage or automate your connected smart devices from a single point. You can also use it to pair your Blink security camera(s) with HomeKit.
However, you’ll still need IFTTT to complete the process. One may wonder; what’s the point of using SmartThings when I can easily use IFTTT to achieve the same purpose? Well, SmartThings offers more functionalities than IFTTT.
To use SmartThings to pair your Blink device(s) with HomeKit;
- Download and install the SmartThings app on your phone. The app is available for free on the Google Play store and App App store.
- Launch the app and sign up to create an account.
- Download and install IFTTT on your device.
- Launch IFTTT to sign up and create an account.
- Login to IFTTT and click on “Explore.”
- Search for ‘SmartThings’, and click on it, once it’s shown.
- Click “Connect”, and sign in to your SmartThings account.
- Search for your Blink camera system and click to pair it with the SmartThings app.
- Search for HomeKit and click to pair it with your Blink camera system through SmartThings.
HomeKit Alternatives
- Alexa by Amazon—works with Blink by default as both products are from the same company.
- Google Home—does not work with Blink by default. However, you can use IFTTT or SmartThings to pair your Blink system with the app.
- SmartThings by Samsung—works with Blink by default.
- Home Assistant by Nabu Casa, Inc—works with Blink through Alexa. Meaning, you’ll first have to connect your Blink devices to Alexa. You can do so by going to the integrations page on Home Assistant and clicking Amazon Alexa. After that, follow the simple onscreen steps to complete the process of pairing your Blink system with the app.
You might be interest to know if blink cameras work with ADT
Final Thoughts
Blink is one of the top brands for smart cameras that make massive sales every year. Surprisingly, these cameras are not directly compatible with Apple’s HomeKit app. It’s not clear why given the fact that the app automatically works with many smart camera brands including those lower than Blink. Could it be a question of business rivalry or a legit issue that Apple has with Blink? Well, that’s up to you to find out if you are interested in more about it.
